Popeyes to open 50th store amid continued expansion plans

Popeyes UK has announced that it is set to launch its 50th UK site in Glasgow, marking its 18th opening this year. 

With the launch of the new restaurant, the brand is on track to deliver the growth it projected in January – doubling the size of its UK estate in 2024. 

Popeyes entered the UK market back in November 2021 and has since seen success with 49 location openings, including seven drive-thru and 13 delivery kitchens across the UK. 

In addition to this, a second location in Aberdeen and a first-ever location in Belfast, Northern Ireland are all set to open their doors in the coming months. 

These openings are expected to generate 2,000 new jobs, contributing to local economies.

Tom Crowley, CEO at Popeyes UK, said: “In just 30 months, our remarkable Popeyes UK team has secured a pipeline of 50 top-tier new sites, including our first ever Northern Irish location which opens in Belfast very soon. 

“Currently, Popeyes UK is the fastest-growing chicken QSR brand in the UK, with a 125% year-on-year growth from May 2023 to May 2024. The sustained demand for Popeyes in the UK is incredible, but not unexpected. We’ve seen overnight queues for almost every opening since our UK launch in 2021, with fried chicken fans turning up to queue over 24 hours before the opening of new Popeyes restaurants. We remain committed to our expansion plans and look forward to achieving new milestones in the upcoming years.”